Uzma Bukhari dismisses Imran Khan’s calls for a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9. The Punjab Information Minister reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against crimes and violence targeting women.
During a news conference on Monday, she emphasized that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is dedicated to ensuring justice for victims of such crimes. Bukhari highlighted the establishment of women-only virtual police stations across Punjab, where female officers exclusively handle cases involving women.
“Now, a murder cannot be made to appear as a suicide,” the minister asserted.
Addressing the high-profile case of Sania Zehra, Bukhari expressed deep concern over the tragic incident and condemned attempts to misclassify her murder as a suicide. “A very painful incident came to light in the Sania Zehra murder case, where her death was initially attributed to suicide,” she said. “However, forensic evidence has now proven that Sania was murdered, rendering the suicide claims baseless.”
‘Murder committed first, noose tied later’
Bukhari revealed that forensic analysis showed no swelling on Sania’s neck, and the dupatta used to stage the hanging bore the DNA of her husband and mother-in-law, indicating their involvement in wrapping the noose around Sania’s neck. “The murder was committed first, and the noose was set afterward,” she asserted.
The minister stated that reports confirmed the dupatta tied around the girl’s neck was not the cause of death. “It has been established that Sania was murdered. All tests and investigations confirm that this was not a suicide case,” she declared.
Bukhari further noted that influential suspects attempted to evade justice, but the chief minister has instructed that the case should be pursued vigorously.
‘Husband, mother-in-law proven guilty in polygraph tests’
MPA Hina Parvez Butt, chairperson of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, also spoke at the conference, denouncing the murder as a brutal act driven by greed over property. “Sania was killed by her husband for refusing to transfer her property into his name,” Butt stated, adding that an autopsy was conducted with the family’s consent.
She mentioned that both Sania’s husband and mother-in-law underwent polygraph tests, which reportedly indicated their involvement in the crime. “We urge the courts to deliver justice for Sania’s family,” the MPA said, emphasizing that the government will not allow girls to be murdered for so-called honor while disguising it as suicide. “Upon seeing the body, it was immediately clear that she had been killed and hanged,” Butt added.
Judicial Commission
The news conference also addressed broader political issues, with Bukhari condemning the actions of PTI and its leader regarding the violent incidents of May 9. She criticized PTI for its alleged role in planning and executing attacks on military installations and sensitive sites, asserting that these actions were premeditated and part of a larger campaign of incitement.
“Military installations and sensitive buildings were torched under careful planning. How can the PTI founder claim that the arsonists were not his people? He himself stated that if he were arrested, his party workers would move towards Cantt, even threatening that if he were re-arrested, similar chaos would ensue,” she asserted.
Bukhari dismissed calls for a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 events, stating that the chaos was witnessed by the entire world, following months of inflammatory speeches and rallies by PTI. “May 9 did not happen overnight; it followed 70 rallies, two long marches, and various programs over the past year. May 9 was the culmination of PTI’s venomous rhetoric,” she claimed.
She accused PTI’s leadership of seeking to undermine the Constitution and laws of Pakistan for personal gain while simultaneously damaging the country’s reputation abroad.
